Sam brushed his shoulder against mine as we swayed back and forth on the piano bench.

Smiling, I got lost in the easy melody filling my ears. It was just loud enough to keep me from hearing what Kelly was saying to Angel, and I was happy for it.

I didn’t need to know what they were discussing. Julia’s warning to Kelly was enough to keep me on edge. Angel had never taken a liking to me. Something about that day on the park bench when she’d warned me about Madam and how I needed to get out before I met the same fate as Tonya resonated with me.

Keeping one eye on Kelly and the other on Sam’s fingers gliding over the ivory keys, memories of Tonya filled my head.

Angel knew about my contract. I didn’t ask how and she didn’t explain. She was one of the first to understand that I had no chance at stopping Madam’s mission of taking him away from me. That made me assume she was somehow involved in the chaos that surrounded us. How, with who, or why, I was clueless. Completely naïve to whether I could trust the seeds she planted inside my ear.

Sam’s eyes caught Kelly’s persistent glare. “Your man is worried I might hit on you.”

Lifting my gaze to Kelly, I could tell he was feeling stressed. “He’s not worried about you,” I murmured. “It’s me he’s watching.”

“Don’t worry, girlfriend.” Sam smirked. “Though you’re gorgeous, you’re not my type.”

I rolled my neck, quirked a brow, and faced him.

He nodded, smiled, and continued to play effortlessly. “That’s right. Gay from the day I was born.”

Doing a once-over, he didn’t try to hide it. I just hadn’t been paying attention. Feeling a little more comfortable by his side, I allowed myself to relax.

Sam glanced back to Kelly and Angel. “But I have to be honest with you,” he sucked back an uneasy breath, “he seems like a handful.”

My cheeks flushed as I giggled.

Then he lowered his voice. “Are you sure you’re not over your head with him?”

Staring at Kelly, I responded to Sam, “You can tell all that by just the way he’s looking at me?”

“Sweetie, I’ve read the article outlining his involvement, and I know he’s representing Blake Stone.” He nodded. “What can I say, I’m addicted to this town’s gossip. It’s one of the reasons I’ll never leave. And,” there was a twinkle in his eye, “it has an excellent pool of men to choose from, might I add.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you read,” I muttered close to his shoulder.

“No.” His fingers moved to the far reaches of the piano. “But what do you think they are talking about over there?” Sam didn’t give enough time to respond before he continued. “It’s not how delicious the champagne is, I can tell you that.” He laughed.

My body continued to sway back and forth with his. “If you’re referring to who Kelly represents, his clients aren’t any of my concern.”

“Stone is the least of my concerns.” His tune fell quiet. “And he should be the least of your concerns, too.”

I swiveled my head around to look him in the eye.

“You and I both know that Madam is the source of your worries.” He gave a knowing nod as I stared blankly into his flickering eyes. “And if you’re not careful, you’ll soon find yourself caught up in her mess.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I searched his face, wondering who he was and how I was already caught up in Madam’s tangled clutter.

“Because,” he lifted one hand off the keys and rested it on my thigh, “Angel believes you’re one of the good ones.” He squeezed my hand before sliding off the bench and disappearing into the crowd.

Leaving my head spinning faster than when we’d arrived, I wondered why Julia warned us at all. If Angel liked me, why would she not be happy I was here?

Turning around on the bench, I smoothed the wrinkles out of my dress before standing.

I could only assume Angel was upset with me being here tonight because she wanted me to dismantle my relationships with both Kelly and Madam on my own terms. Instead, I hoped Madam would keep her word—hedging my bets that Kelly would be able to find Sylvia before our time expired.

As soon as I stepped away from the piano, I saw Kelly in conversation with the mayor so I approached Giselle and Drake.

Striding over to them, they were so normal looking. Like a real couple. Organic. True.

Drake had his arm snaked around her waist as she clutched her purse inside her hands. They both glowed as they smiled like they were having the best night of their lives. With each step closer, I wondered if Drake had mentioned anything about the private conversations we kept finding ourselves having.

“Kendra.” Giselle hugged me. “Good to see you.”

“Did you two just arrive?” I asked, unsure how best to greet Drake.

“We did.” Giselle melted back into the side of Drake’s hardened body. “I heard you had a warm welcome.”

“Is there a party the media doesn’t get invited to?” I snickered.

“Next time, ask to enter through the back,” Drake suggested.

Feeling my stomach harden, I didn’t like knowing there was an alternate option—an option we could have taken to avoid the onslaught by reporters. “I don’t think Kelly knew.”

Placing her hand over Drake’s heart, Giselle shook her head. “Kelly knew. He also knows what’s best.”

Dropping my voice, I lowered my brow. “But you should have seen them. It was awful the way they attacked us.”

“No matter what allegations Kelly is facing, it’s important that you two are seen together,” Giselle assured me.

I glanced to Drake with my eyebrows drawn together, wanting to tell him that I hadn’t forgotten about his offer to help. Before I had the chance to say anything, he cut me off by asking, “Was that you I saw playing the piano?”

I brushed my bangs to the side and shook my head.

“That was beautiful.” He smiled.

“It wasn’t me.”

“I could have sworn those were your fingers I saw tapping the keys.”

“Drake, baby, she said it wasn’t her.” Giselle looked to me, giggling.

He was such a charmer. As I watched him interact with Giselle, I couldn’t stop myself from comparing their relationship to the one I had with Kelly. We’d been just like them once. In the beginning when it was fresh and everything was a mystery. A part of me wished we could go back in time and change the path that led us to where we were today. In my heart, I knew that we could be better.

Giselle waved her fingers as her gaze traveled across the room. “Looks like I’m being summoned.” She turned to me and smiled. “Before I go, how are you holding up?”

Her worry lines deepened above her brow. “I’m doing great,” I lied.

She leaned in and gave me a small hug, telling me to stay strong, before Drake guided her across the floor. Everyone was worried about me, but what about Kelly? This affected him more than it affected me. I would be fine. But Kelly had others who depended on him. If he was brought down, then the whole pyramid of people he was working for would crumble as well.

With Kelly’s attention snatched back up the moment it was free, I found my way to the catering table. There was more drink and food than what it seemed people were able to keep up with. I ate a cheese square before realizing I wasn’t hungry. Then I downed a flute of champagne before I could feel guilty about drinking when on a date with Kelly.

Kelly was taking forever. I wondered if he’d forgotten about me. I didn’t know what to do, where to go, knowing that I wanted to remain somewhere Kelly could see me. Turning around, I was surprised to find the new reporter stalking me at the food table. “I’m amazed they let your kind in,” I sneered.

He glanced at me before continuing to fill his plate with food. “Don’t hate me for doing my job.”

“What’s your name?”

“Jones.” He didn’t look when added, “Rob Jones.”

“Well then, Mr. Jones,” I planted a hand on my hip, “is it a coincidence I found you here at my table, or is there something you’re after?”

He shoved a cracker caviar combo into his mouth and turned to face me. “Since you asked…”

“On or off the record?”

“Does it matter?” His swallowed his food down. “And would you tell me the truth even if it was off the record?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Depends on the question.”

He closed the little gap between us and lowered his chin. “Not even now that we’re on a first name basis?”

I glared up at him.

“Then I’ll ask, anyway.” He was much too confident for his own good. “What is your affiliation with the nightclub, Echo?”

Running my tongue over my front top teeth, I said, “I have no affiliation.”

“No?” He tilted his head to the side. “Are you a member of Mint?”

Feeling my temperature rise, I regretted getting myself into a conversation with a reporter who was clearly coming after Kelly and me. “If you’re suggesting that either Kelly or I are in any way involved in those murders just because you have images—photos which are probably fabricated—then you have us both wrong.”

He leaned closer and dropped his voice down to a whisper. “No, Ms. Williams. You have it wrong, and I believe that with what I know is coming for you, I have you pinned.”

My scalp prickled as I looked into his threatening eyes. His heady scent reminded me of my uncle. As he hovered over me, I shrank beneath his shadow. “I’m not guilty of anything.”

Commotion broke out somewhere on the opposite side of the room and made me jump.

His thin lips curved into an evil smirk. “Think what you want, and though I know you’re wrong, I also know you’re too smart to say anything that would get you in trouble.”

I held his gaze, letting my thoughts bounce between my ears. “You don’t know nothing about me.”

He grinned below glimmering eyes. “I know that you’ve been taught from an early age to keep quiet and not make a sound.”

Feeling my bladder loosen, I turned my head away, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Suddenly, I was back inside my childhood bedroom, my head smashed into the mattress while I was forced to endure the pain.

Stepping back, he said, “It was nice talking to you, Kendra. I’m sure we’ll be speaking soon.”